2003-05 Catalog
Physics Requirements

Physics Major (14 courses, 9 in physics): Prospective physics majors are encouraged to begin their study of physics and mathematics in the freshman year. Physics majors may be required to take the Major Field Test in their senior year as part of an on-going assessment component of the Physics program.

Required courses for the major are PHYS 121, 122, 211, 225, 241, 311, 321, 325, and 411. (For secondary education certification in physics, PHYS 141 should be substituted for PY 411). Additional courses required are MATH 131 (or equivalent), 132, 233, 310, and CSCI 110.

Courses that are often recommended include PHYS 495; MATH 303, 315, 321; CHEM 105, 107. Also, graduate study in physics toward a Ph.D. degree benefits from a reading knowledge of a foreign language -- German and French are most valuable.

The following paradigm, with more courses listed than the minimum required for a physics major, is recommended for a student who wishes a strong background for graduate study in physics. The courses superscripted by a 1 or 2 indicate those to be taken by students entering in an odd or even year. (*MATH 310 may have to be taken in year 3, depending on when it is offered).

Year 1: PHYS 121, PHYS 122, MATH 132, MATH 233, CSCI 110

Year 2: PHYS 241, PHYS 211, PHYS 225¹, MATH 310*

Year 3: PHYS 311¹, PHYS 411¹, PHYS 325¹, PHYS 321², PHYS 225², CHEM 105, CHEM 107, MATH elective

Year 4: PHYS 321¹, PHYS 311², PHYS 411², PHYS 325², PHYS 495, PHYS elective, MATH elective

Physics Academic Minor (6 courses): PHYS 121, 122, 211, 241, 311 or 321, MATH 310. Cognate requirements are MATH 131, 132, and 233.

Physics Teaching Minor (6 courses): PHYS 121, 122, 141, 211, 225 and 241.

Students with majors in biology, chemistry, geology, mathematics, and pre-professional students are advised, or required, to take PHYS 121 and 122.

Physics · Physics Course Descriptions

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